Parasitic polymorphism of Coccidioidesspp

Muñoz-Hernández, Bertha; Palma-Cortés, Gabriel; Cabello-Gutiérrez, Carlos; Martínez-Rivera, María Ángeles

doi:10.1186/1471-2334-14-213

Cited by 21 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 27 publications

(21 reference statements)

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“…Mature spherules continue to expand until they rupture, releasing endospores, which then enlarge to continue the spherule growth cycle; endospores can enter the bloodstream and disseminate to almost any soft tissue, where they may cause serious disease ( Cox and Magee 2004 ). Additional parasitic growth forms have been described from coccidioidomycosis patients: pleomorphic hyphae cells and fungal balls (formed by septate hyphae) ( Hagman et al 2000 ; Munoz-Hernandez et al 2014 ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Phylogenomics of Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Species

Whiston

Taylor

2016

G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics

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The Ascomycete Onygenales order embraces a diverse group of mammalian pathogens, including the yeast-forming dimorphic fungal pathogens Histoplasma capsulatum, Paracoccidioides spp. and Blastomyces dermatitidis, the dermatophytes Microsporum spp. and Trichopyton spp., the spherule-forming dimorphic fungal pathogens in the genus Coccidioides, and many nonpathogens. Although genomes for all of the aforementioned pathogenic species are available, only one nonpathogen had been sequenced. Here, we enhance comparative phylogenomics in Onygenales by adding genomes for Amauroascus mutatus, Amauroascus niger, Byssoonygena ceratinophila, and Chrysosporium queenslandicum—four nonpathogenic Onygenales species, all of which are more closely related to Coccidioides spp. than any other known Onygenales species. Phylogenomic detection of gene family expansion and contraction can provide clues to fungal function but is sensitive to taxon sampling. By adding additional nonpathogens, we show that LysM domain-containing proteins, previously thought to be expanding in some Onygenales, are contracting in the Coccidioides-Uncinocarpus clade, as are the self-nonself recognition Het loci. The denser genome sampling presented here highlights nearly 800 genes unique to Coccidiodes, which have significantly fewer known protein domains and show increased expression in the endosporulating spherule, the parasitic phase unique to Coccidioides spp. These genomes provide insight to gene family expansion/contraction and patterns of individual gene gain/loss in this diverse order—both major drivers of evolutionary change. Our results suggest that gene family expansion/contraction can lead to adaptive radiations that create taxonomic orders, while individual gene gain/loss likely plays a more significant role in branch-specific phenotypic changes that lead to adaptation for species or genera.

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confidence: 99%

Comparative Phylogenomics of Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Species

Whiston

Taylor

2016

G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics

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“…Coccidioides spp. are thermally dimorphic and evolutionarily closely related to other thermal dimorphs [ 69 ]. However, Coccidioides can produce large spherules upon inhalation, in which yeast-like endospores develop ( Figure 5 b).…”

Section: Fungal Pathogens That Exhibit Cell Size Variationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, Coccidioides can produce large spherules upon inhalation, in which yeast-like endospores develop ( Figure 5 b). Mature spherules are too large (30–80 µm) to be phagocytosed, resulting in the hypothesis that they provide a protected environment for cellular replication [ 69 ]. Upon rupture, endospores that are produced within the spherule are released and can survive within phagocytes [ 69 ].…”

Section: Fungal Pathogens That Exhibit Cell Size Variationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mature spherules are too large (30–80 µm) to be phagocytosed, resulting in the hypothesis that they provide a protected environment for cellular replication [ 69 ]. Upon rupture, endospores that are produced within the spherule are released and can survive within phagocytes [ 69 ]. Dissemination of Coccidioides from the lungs to secondary tissues is thought to be via the endospores.…”

Section: Fungal Pathogens That Exhibit Cell Size Variationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Morphology Changes in Human Fungal Pathogens upon Interaction with the Host

Nielsen

2017

JoF

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Morphological changes are a very common and effective strategy for pathogens to survive in the mammalian host. During interactions with their host, human pathogenic fungi undergo an array of morphological changes that are tightly associated with virulence. Candida albicans switches between yeast cells and hyphae during infection. Thermally dimorphic pathogens, such as Histoplasma capsulatum and Blastomyces species transform from hyphal growth to yeast cells in response to host stimuli. Coccidioides and Pneumocystis species produce spherules and cysts, respectively, which allow for the production of offspring in a protected environment. Finally, Cryptococcus species suppress hyphal growth and instead produce an array of yeast cells—from large polyploid titan cells to micro cells. While the morphology changes produced by human fungal pathogens are diverse, they all allow for the pathogens to evade, manipulate, and overcome host immune defenses to cause disease. In this review, we summarize the morphology changes in human fungal pathogens—focusing on morphological features, stimuli, and mechanisms of formation in the host.

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“…Each endospore can initiate a new spherule, or, under particular atmospheric conditions, nutrient changes, and/or lower temperature, the endospore can convert to a mycelium and initiate the saprobic phase. This occurs in rare circumstances in the living host [ 45 ], but is found most commonly in the environment.…”

Section: Coccidioides Biologymentioning

confidence: 99%